It is now official! Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipović is heading back to Japan! Not to PRIDE and not to K-1; but he will be joining the new MMA league called ‘DREAM’. His first fight will be on the upcoming March 15th card versus a yet-to-be-named fighter in Saitama, Japan. Here is the preliminary DREAM post.
Was this a good career move or a ‘cop-out’ on Cro-Cop’s part? You decide.
What about Stipe Miocic? He won his debut fight in the UFC and is now 7-0 This guy can fight…why don’t you guys have a feature on him yet?
Dear Paluka,
It sounds like you know your stuff and I agree with you partially. There is no way CC should have lost either of those fights. And I would blame his mental game more than his physical. You know he just needs to land one kick for the fight to be over…but his aggressive fighting style was non-existent. It was the first time I ever saw CC backed up during the fight with Gonzaga. It’s like he was sleep walking…but all I have to say is let him get back under whatever circumstances he needs, even a weak DREAM. If he trains hard and proves himself worthy for more UFC fights, more power to him on his way to a possible title. This is the first ever times he’s ever been in a slump and the real champs are the ones that can get out of them. Look at Liddel…hell get another chance after falling off the train…just as CC will….but if you cant get back on the train thats how we will all know for sure that he doesnt belong there anymore. I appreciate the time you put into writing that comment Paluka. Keep em comin’.
Horrible news! He’s heading into an inferior organization to fight for money. When he fought in pride and lost to randleman he said he wanted a rematch so bad that he would fight for free. In retrospect, CC saying he is not running away from ufc (and that he wants a rematch against gonzaga and kongo) is complete bullshit.
CC should retire.
Want proof? Gonzaga lost to werdum (a bjj blackbelt with horrible striking) from a knee and GnP stoppage (CC landed one kick against Gonzaga before being KOed). CC’s then loses a decision to Kongo who isn’t even a top 10 heavyweight. What bothers me about this fight is that crocop never once put kongo in danger but there were moments were crocop could have been in trouble. He couldn’t find an opening from a mediocre striker.
Mirko is known for exploiting fighter’s weaknesses and finding openings for the quick KO (a la left high kick). He has been lacking in the physical department lately and his striking doesn’t seem as crisp as it once was. He couldn’t keep up with Remy Bonjansky in sparring sessions being completely tooled.
Mirko says he is better mentally now that he is fighting in japan. Apparently he is suffering from delusions of grandeur
Branimir, thank you for the comment. This is a great career for Cro Cop as it should clear his head from the 2 straight losses in the UFC. He should be able to cash some checks in DREAM get fit and be ready UFC within 18 months. I explain more in my comment “Cro Cop heads to Japan…” Please let me know what you think. I always like to see what my readers have to say!!
Obviously he thought it was the best thing to do or he wouldn’t have done it. He will always be Cro Cop regardless of what league he fights in.